Tire and wheel construction



Oct. 26 1926. 1,604,185

J. M. MEREDITH ET AL TIRE AND WHEEL CONSTRUCTION Filed April 5, 1925 o O o o 0 db 0 Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,604,185 PATENT OFFICE.

JAQUELIN M. MEREDITH AND TEMPLE A. N UCKOLS, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

TIRE AND WHEEL CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed April 3, 1925. Serial No. 20,512.

This invention relates to improvements in tires and wheels for motor vehicles and more particularly to a combined construction including a novel form of tire, wheel folly and rim.

An important object of the invention is to provide a longitudinally split rim, the sections of which are adapted to be separated laterally to permit removal of the tire.

A further object is to provide a device of the above mentioned character wherein the tire is provided with inwardly projecting members adapted to be engaged by the wheel rim. 1

A still further object is to provide a puncture proof tire adapted to be mounted on a rim of the above mentioned character, the tire being provided with an inwardly projecting radial flange adapted to be received between sections of a wheel felly the in Wardly projecting flange of the the being provided with embedded metallic elements which are adapted to be clamped by the inner edges of the split rim.

A still further object is to provide a wheel felly which is split longitudinally and is provided with a peripheral channel adapted to receive the inwardly extending flange of the tire, one section of the telly being removable to permit the tire and the rim to be withdrawn from the wheel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings, we have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a wheel constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 are 1, 1

Figure 3 is a fragmentary face view of the anchoring band,

Figure 4 is a similar view of a portion of the rim,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the anchoring band, and,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a portion of the tire.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a wheel of any desired construction, shown in the present instance as being of the artillery type with spokes 11 of the usual construction. The wheel is provided of Figwith a felly indicated as a whole by the numeral 12. The felly includes a metallic sup porting band 13 which is preferably L- shaped in cross section and includes a side section 1e and a base 15 which extends throughout the width of the felly. The band 13 is provided with a folly section 16 arranged therein and provided with a pcripheral channel 17. The felly is further provided with a removable section 18, the inner wall of which forms one side wall of the channel 17, as shown in Fig. 2. The removable section 18 of the felly is provided with a metallic side band 19 secured thereto in any suitable manner. The felly sections and the metal bands associated therewith are provided with a series of aligned transverse openings 20 to receive securing elements to be described. The base 15 of the supporting band is provided adjacent its free edge with a lug 21 normally arranged within a transverse slot 22 extending entirely across the inner face of the telly section 18.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 6 the numeral 8 designates as a whole an improved tire construction adapted to be" used in connection with the felly just described. The tire 23 comprises an inner layer 2 l formed of plastic or self vulcanizing rubber which in turn is surrounded by a thin layer 25 of elastic vulcanized rubber. A layer of fabric 26 surrounds the rubber layer 25 as shown and this in turn is surrounded by the main tire casing 27. The rubber layer 25, fabric layer 26 and tire casing 27 are preferably vulcanized together in the finished tire. The casing 27 is formed generally according to the present practice in that it is preferably formed of a fabric carcass having a heavy layer of tread rubber thereon.

In the manufacture of the tire an anchoring band. 28 is arranged parallel to the inside of the tire between the fabric band 26 and the main casing 27. The band 28 is preferably formed of thin metal and is perforated throughout its length as at 29. At spaced points throughout its length the band 28 is provided with inwardly projecting studs 30 which are riveted as at 31 to the band. The studs 30 extend inwardly a sub stantial distance beyond the main tire casing and are provided at their inner ends with outwardly flared heads 32 and the sides of the studs are flattened as at 33. A liner 8% is vulcanized against the inner side of the tire casing as shown in Figures 2 and. G. The liner iwiis of a width substantially equal to the distance between the flanges or beads of the rim to be described. The liner 34 is provided throughout its length with an inwardly extending radial flange. preferably formed integral therewith. The liner 3% is preferably iormedotrubber similar to that of the casing 27. The flange 35 is provided at opposite sides near. the body oh the liner with grooves 36 extending throughout the circumference of the flange. The studs 30 extend a, material distanceinwardlyinto the flange 35 as shown in Figure 2 and; the opposite sides oi the flared lower ends of; the studs are preferablyfiuslt with the sides of the flange 35. v

-The numeral 37- designates. as; a whole, a rim adapted to be employed in connection with the device. The rim comprisesa pair of complementary sections 38. having their innenedges 39anoimally spaced apart a; dis: tance equal to the thickness ot'the shanksot the studsaswill becomeapparent, The rim sections may, be. provided at opposite sides with beads T0 atapted to engage the outer edges {of the liner 3%. Each rim. section, is provided at a: point spaced fromthe inner ends thereof with aninwardly extending radial flange 41 and these flangesare normally spaced apart a distance equal; to the thickness otthefiange 85. It will .be obvious that the flanges e1 are adapted to be arranged against the sides 01 the flange 35 and the latter., t,oge ther, with. he flanges il is provided with transverse openings, 42 corresponding in arrangement to. the transverse openings 20. Bolts 43 arearranged;initherespective transverse openings. and each bolt is. pro-. vided with the usual nut l4 threaded on one end; The inner edges. or" the rim sections are provided with: opposite-cut. out portions iathroughwhich the inflating; valve d6 of the tire is adaptedto extend.

The operation of the device isas follows:

The various elements of the tire areassembled, in the manner described, each successive element being vulcanizedlto the next element, while the inner layer of rubber 2 iis allowed to remain in a plastic or self heah ingcondition, When the device isinpositionon the tire as shown in Figure 2, the in; nor edges 39 of the rim sections are adapted to engage the shanks of the studs 30- as shown in FigureQ to properly space the rim sections. The bolts 43 are adapted to clamp the telly seetionstogether against; the outer faces of the rim flanges ll whereby the tire may be secured inzposition with the edges 39 of the rim sections tightly clamped against the flat outer faces oi the shanks of the studs The self healing rubber within the tire is adapted to heal any punctures which occur during the operation ot' the device. If it is desired ior any reason to remove the tire,

the nuts eat areiremoved and the bolts withdrayvn,.whereupon the telly section 18 may be withdrawn from the side of the wheel. This action permits the rim and tire to be withdrawn as a unit and tie rim sections may be separated laterally from the tire as will be obvious. W hen the tire is to be replaced, the rim sections are arranged in normal position and the tire replaced with the openings 42 in alinementwith the openings Tlietstudi 21 and groove- 22,,are prefers ably soarranged that they will: register when the transverse openings 20 in the. telly. sections are in alinement to permit the nemovable telly section 18 more easily. to be placed on the wheel in properpositioni, The section 18 is turned; so that the lug 21 and groove 22 registerwhereupon it; is. moved inwardly against the adj acenti flange- 41 and the bolts 43, are then: applied in the usual way. The anchoring-band 28a, is provided with perforations 2-913 permit: the lftlblJEIPOf the casing to flow therethrough to become vulcanized. with. the fabric layer 26... The band 28- serves to. securely anchor; the studs 80 to prevent their displacement; when, in

use.

It isto be understood that; the form our invention, herewith shown and described! is to be takenv as a. preferred example oh the same and that; various:changesin the shape size and arrangement of parts; may be re sorted to without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of: the: sub joinedclaims 1 We claim: I s

1. A device of the character described comprising a tire haying aninfiatable casr ing, an inwardly projecting. radial elastic flange carried by said tire, and: aplurality of. non-compressible' elements embedded in said flange and having portions-hush. with the sides thereof I 2. A, device of the character described comprising a tire, a band carried; by said tire, an inwardly projecting elastic flange carried bysaid: tire, and; a; plurality of noncompressible elements carriech by; said band and having portions embedded in;saidfiange.

3'. A. device oi the characterdescribed comprising a tire casing, a metallic band carriedby said casing, an inwardly projecting elastic flange carried by said tire, anda plurality; of metallic studs secured to, said band and extending into said flange, said studs being provided in said flange ith flattened portionscarranged iiuslrwitli, the surfaces of said flange.

4-. A, device constructed inaccordance with claim 3iwhereinsaid: band iscontinu; ous andenibedded insaidtire. Y

5.. A1 device of the character described comprising; atire; casin a metallic band embedded therein, an inwardly projecting elastic flange carriedby said tire, and a plurality of spaced metallic studs secured to said band and extending inwardly therefrom, said studs having shanks materially thinner than said flange and extending therethrough, said flange being provided on opposite sides near said tire with annular grooves extending to the sides of the shanks of said studs.

6. A device constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein said studs are provided with laterally extending portions ar ranged flush with the sides of said elastic flange inwardly of said grooves.

' In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures.

JAQUELIN M. MEREDITH. TEMPLE A. NUCKOLS. 

